New research indicates moderate to intense exercise in the elderly may be effective at reducing dementia and strokes. In comparing MRIs of the brain in those who exercised more intensely, researchers identified considerably less brain damage caused by blocked arteries as compared with those who exercised far less intensely. Interestingly, there was no difference in the brains of those who exercised with light intensity as compared with those who did not exercise at all. Although this study did not directly evaluate exercise intensity to the rates of dementia and stroke, the findings of increased brain blood flow and less brain damage strongly suggests moderate to intense exercise should significantly lower the incidence of dementia and stroke suffered by the elderly. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise is recommended each week.

One of the most common types of patients seen by a chiropractor are those who suffer from headaches. While tens of thousands of chiropractors know the huge positive impact chiropractic care has on providing headache relief, researchers recently reviewed all controlled clinical trials published through August 2009 to identify studies conducted on chiropractic care and headaches, and their outcomes. Their findings included the recommendation of spinal manipulation (the most common form of treatment utilized by chiropractors) for the management of episodic or chronic migraine headaches. Additionally, another common type of headache, the cervicogenic headache, also benefited significantly from spinal manipulation therapy. If you're suffering from headaches, consider the safe and effective care offered by chiropractic. Research has shown it effective for many headache types and unlike drugs and surgery, it's completely natural and non-invasive.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) commend Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) for introducing legislation in the U.S. Senate designed to fully integrate chiropractic care as a covered service within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

The bill, S.1147, specifically requires the VA to have a doctor of chiropractic on staff at all of its major medical facilities by 2014. The legislation was introduced on June 6, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

ACA believes that integrating the services provided by doctors of chiropractic into the VA health care system would be cost-effective and speed the recovery of many veterans returning from current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A February 2010 report from the Veterans Health Administration indicates that about half of all veterans returning from the Middle East and Southwest Asia who have sought VA health care were treated for symptoms associated with musculoskeletal ailments – the top complaint of those tracked for the report.

"ACA and ACC applaud the work of Sen. Blumenthal as he continues to advance causes that positively impact our nation’s veterans," said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC. “America’s heroes are suffering from chronic, disabling pain, and yet many remain unable to access the beneficial care provided by doctors of chiropractic. I hope that Congress will act in our veterans’ best interest and pass this important legislation.”

"We are extremely grateful to Sen. Blumenthal for his sponsorship of this critically important legislation that will allow doctors of chiropractic to expand their vital services to our nation's veterans within the VA health care system," said ACC President Richard Brassard, DC. "A long list of studies, including a recent study from Johns Hopkins University, have reinforced that musculoskeletal injuries are the primary threat to our active-duty military. This legislation will help ensure that we have enough doctors of chiropractic in place within the VA health care network to serve these soldiers and provide them with the care that they have earned and deserve when they finally come home as veterans."

Sen. Blumenthal is a recognized champion for veterans throughout the country. He served with the United States Marine Corps Reserves and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.

A companion bill, H.R. 329, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in February by Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.). Through previous congressional action, chiropractic care is now available at more than 40 VA facilities across the country; however, in the more than 100 major facilities without a doctor of chiropractic on staff, the chiropractic care benefit Congress authorized for America’s veterans remains virtually non-existent. Detroit, Denver and Chicago are examples of major metropolitan areas without a doctor of chiropractic available at the local VA medical facility. According to John Falardeau, ACA’s vice president of Government Relations, without a congressional directive, further expansion to VA facilities will be on a case-by-case basis and will experience significant delays.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

A new study indicates Americans are continuing to eat more calories as well as eat more frequently throughout the day. According to the findings, the number of meals and snacks consumed daily rose from 3.8 in 1977 to 4.8 in 2006. Additionally, as compared with 1977, American adults were consuming 570 more calories daily by 2006. The study also revealed that Americans are now consuming 220 more calories each day directly from sugary soft drinks. The increased availability of easy to obtain foods that tend to be less healthy (fast food chains), the lack of regular consistent sit-down meals (increasing frequent grazing), increased consumption of sugary drinks and other lifestyle changes are largely to blame.